Marie Stanley, Headquarters
Over the last decade, the Library has gradually reduced spending on printed reference materials for both Central and Branches and increased spending for online resources. In today’s fast changing world, online format is better suited for information that dates quickly (such as business directory information). Further, online materials can be used by patrons in their homes and offices 24/7, making them convenient and cost-effective. No longer is it necessary to spend time and money driving to a Library (and parking) during business hours to do library research. Online resources are truly the green way to go!
Last year, use of databases by patrons and staff was up over the previous year. The total number of searches executed in online databases rose 11%, and retrieval/viewing of full-text articles grew an impressive 58%. Some databases are used more today by home users than by in-library users. In fact, for Newsbank newspapers (including the Fresno Bee) and the Auto Repair Reference Center, about three times as many full-text documents were viewed remotely as from computers in library branches. Opposing Viewpoints, which is targeted toward students, delivered twice as many remote full-text views as in-house views. So as more of our patrons acquire personal computers in their homes and as they become more familiar with online resources, use is expected to continue to grow.
Some of our recently added online tools are not really databases, but interactive learning tools. These include Learning Express Practice tests (which provide users the chance to take and get feedback on popular job and academic tests) and Mango languages.
As the list of online resources grows, the downside is that it is harder for staff and patrons to make decisions on which databases to search for a specific purpose. It may also be necessary to execute the same search multiple times in order to retrieve the needed information. For example, if a patron wants information on the incidence and treatment of diabetes in women, we might search the Library catalog, the Health & Wellness Resource Center, Ebsco’s Health Source, and OneFile. All currently must be searched separately.
In recent years, many large public libraries have added tools which allow patrons and staff to simultaneously search the Library catalog and most databases. The Reference staff is now experimenting with one such federated search product called Webfeat and expects to gather additional staff feedback this spring.
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